Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Crime Branch (CB) has arrested two persons from Ludhiana, and Guntur for their alleged involvement in two similar cases of fraud.
Bittu Kumar (41) was nabbed from Ludhiana on the basis of a complaint by a resident of Berhampur, alleging that he was defrauded by unknown cyber fraudsters on pretext of higher returns through investment in digital currency exchange trading.
The victim was persuaded by the fraudsters to trade in IPO and OTC, following which he transferred Rs 6.16 crore. Despite initial losses, he was convinced to invest more, but while attempting to withdraw, they demanded additional money and refused to release his funds. He then realised it was a scam and lodged an FIR.
The investigating team led by Deputy SP Ratnaprava Satpathy analysed the transaction details and working on other digital evidence cracked down at Ludhiana in Punjab and identified and arrested one of the accused. Mobile phones, SIMs and debit cards were seized from the possession. Bittu was then produced at JMIC 1st Class Ludhiana Court and brought to Cuttack on transit remand. He has been booked under Sections 419/ 420/ 465/ 467/ 468/ 471/ 120(B)/ 34 IPC r/w Section 66-C/66-D of IT Act2000.
In the other case, the victim from Mayurbhanj was defrauded of Rs 1.1 crore on a similar pretext. The analysis of transaction details and other digital evidence led the investigating team to Guntur in Andhra Pradesh where Chapalamadugu Sudheer Kumar (33) was nabbed for the offence. Mobile phones, SIMs, bank passbooks and cheques were seized from his possession. He was produced at Special Mobile Court, Guntur and brought to Cuttack on transit remand. He has been booked under Sections 318(4)/319(2)/ 336(2)/ 336(3)/ 338/ 340(2)/ 61(2)/ 3(5) BNS r/w 66-C/ 66-D IT Act 2000.
The duo will be produced in the SDJM court in Berhampur and Mayurbhanj respectively, a CB release said.
The investigating agency has also requested people not to fall prey to unsolicited investment offers on social media and messaging apps. “Always verify before investing to avoid falling victim to cyber frauds and to report such matters at 1930 Cyber helpline or at nearest police stations,” it added.
